A Missing Tooth Can Often Be Replaced by a Bridge

Posted October 18, 2016.

Losing a tooth to untreated decay, extraction or oral accident can cause significant complications to your oral health. Beyond the loss of function, it can also slur your speech and mar your appearance. The lost tooth can cause the surrounding teeth to turn and slightly alter their positions as they move toward the void. This can cause chips and fractures on the corresponding teeth in your bite pattern.

A dental bridge in Rock Springs, Wyoming, is essentially a single piece of dental work that represents three teeth. There are crowns on each end that are anchored by abutments that are formed from the neighboring teeth.

To form the two abutments, your dentist will remove the tooth enamel from the two closest teeth. Your dentist will then cast a detailed impression of the abutments and your personal bite pattern. This will be sent to our dental lab where your new bridge will be made.

Hard, plastic, temporary crowns will then be cemented over each abutment to protect them while the dental lab technician works to produce the new bridge.

We will call you in for a brief second appointment when your bridge is ready. The temporary crowns will be removed during this appointment and your new bridge will be cemented into place over the two abutments.

If you have lost a tooth, you should call White Mountain Dental at 307-362-2220 to explore your restoration options.